Episode 23 | From Side Hustle to Scaled Strategy: Vanessa Suarez on Building a Marketing Agency That Grows With You
What happens when your side hustle starts as a class project… and slowly grows into a full-fledged marketing agency?
In this episode, I’m joined by Vanessa Suarez, the founder and Chief Marketing Officer of VCD Marketing — a boutique agency that gives service-based businesses the strategy, structure, and support of an in-house marketing team (without the overhead).
Vanessa didn’t plan on becoming a business owner. She spent years in fundraising, studied graphic design, and was building her career in higher education when a professor saw her potential and encouraged her to form an LLC. From there, one small project led to another — until the “side hustle” became a calling.
5 Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Start before you’re ready — Vanessa didn’t feel “ready” to go full time, but she had support, savings, and the courage to try.
Strategy over scatter — Random acts of marketing lead to burnout. A solid plan leads to momentum.
Business evolution is a good thing — Your services and structure will shift — and that’s a sign of growth, not failure.
You’re not failing — you care — Stress, self-doubt, and 2am brainstorms are part of the process. You’re human.
Build a business that supports your clients and your life — A lean team, smart systems, and boundaries go a long way.
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Thank you to our affiliate partners:
This episode is brought to you in partnership with two of my favorite tools for building and managing a marketing business:
AI Playbook - my favorite community for learning how to actually use AI to simplify your business and gain back 5 to 10 hours a week by automating your workflows. It’s hands-down the best resource I’ve found for marketers and entrepreneurs who want to leverage tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Relay, and more — without needing a tech degree.
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Hi, I’m Anastasiia!
Ukrainian-born, Miami-based, and someone who spent over a decade building a successful marketing career before finally building something that felt like mine.
I didn’t leave corporate on a whim. I left because I wanted creative freedom, flexible time, and a business that aligned with my life — not the other way around.
It started as a freelance gig. Then a full roster. Then a boutique real estate marketing agency. Now, it’s also this — an education platform and podcast that helps women like you transition from “stuck” to “started.”
I’m here to teach you how to build a business that fits your goals, your energy, and your version of success.